Best Of

Right now, it's 50-55mph winds with higher gusts and blowing dirt. The thermometer temperature is 35F.

Dirt instead of dust. Dust doesn't sting when it hits my hands.

We've had half a dozen momentary power outages which is the power line automatic protection systems working properly…probably reacting to debris hitting the power lines.

According to the weather forecast there is a strong possibility of snow tonight, but the clouds haven't shown up yet. I'll believe it when I see it. :-)

Dinner tonight could be chicken and rice with BBQ beans, or chili or spicy southwest vegetable soup or hamburgers. decisions…decisions…decisions…

I didn't know about Pancakes Tuesday. We didn't have pancakes. We seldom eat breakfast together. DH is on the move earlier than I am. This morning I will have a slice of whole grain bread from the loaf of Einkorn bread I made yesterday. Spread with peanut butter and slices of banana.

The crab cakes last night were very good. I made a remoulade sauce from Serious Eats. The side was oven roasted zucchini and yellow squash. We also had slices of freshly baked bread with butter.

When I was looking for my crab cakes recipe, I ran across a hand-written recipe of Maggie's chicken with artichoke hearts. I had forgotten you had given it to us, Maggie.

We're in for a stretch of warm and humid days before the weekend brings more winter.

Aldi sometimes has beef labeled as being for carne asada but you have to marinate it yourself.

Carole, Yum on the fresh "meat" crabcakes. I can't imagine throwing coconuts but they probably used to.

Nance, I made Pancake Tuesday British pancakes for breakfast. They are very thin, almost like crepes, and are served with powdered sugar and lemon juice. They're not the usual breakfast pancakes but DH will eat them once a year for tradition. You are having an appropriate dinner for Mardi Gras.

Maggie's chicken with artichoke meal inspired me to search for a recipe. Using Wally's term, "riff," I made a dish that was a riff on a recipe I found. I cut a very large chicken breast into slices and placed on the bottom of a casserole dish. Topped the chicken with a spinach and chopped artichoke heart and alfredo mixture. Sprinkled panko crumbs on top. Turned out good. For me, an addition of shredded Romano or Parmesan would have made it better but dh is not as much a "cheese makes everything better" fan as I am. The side was carrots in a butter and brown sugar sauce.

I have to agree with Nance's negative opinion of chicken breasts. Except for making breaded cutlets, they're never as good as thighs. Still, I buy them occasionally and then have to cook them.

Tonight will be home-made crab cakes. I found fresh lump crab meat at Rouses for a "reasonable" price.

Today is Mardi Gras. The morning news on local tv is all on-the-street coverage of parades. The first one of the day is Zulu. It was formed by African Americans who weren't allowed in the white krewes. During the first years the parade rolled early on Mardi Gras morning and didn't have a designated route. It wandered around. The signature throw is a decorated coconut. Good luck on getting one. They're probably the most-prized throw that is not thrown but handed.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Wally, I hope the nurses can shield you from the disorganization at the hospice.

Tonight was carne asada, brown rice and pinto beans. Simple, quick and quite good.

Carne asada is flank steak sliced VERY thin, marinated and then cooked rare to medium rare. I don't know about this marinade as it was done at the grocery store before the meat was packaged. It was one of those manager specials where it was near the end of the "use by" date on the sticker.

Carole, Often my dinner plans are determined by the "best by" dates on the meat/fish currently in the refrigerator.

Reader, Yum on the homemade rye bread.

Wally, While small towns have some advantages they are not the best for medical care. I'll have some tough decisions to make if/when I'm unable to drive. Hopefully the nurse will be somewhat helpful even if the organization is in flux. It's great that the shower chair and walker finally arrived. Now is the time to splurge.

Dinner tonight was Indian shrimp in delicate sauce on p. 240 of that cookbook; DH thought it was good. I like that you can buy the ingredients at a regular grocery store. My other Indian cookbook requires foods from a specialty market.

Wally, Good to hear that the steroids are helping your DH. Hospice routine takes some adjusting since everyone’s situation is different and fluid. It’s meant to take some of the stress off you so you have quality time with your DH and for yourself. You will figure out what works for the two of you. Is the Mississippi crockpot chicken a variation on Mississippi pot roast?

Dinner tonight was artichoke chicken on cavatappi